Afghan policemen stand guard at a checkpoint near the site of kidnapping in Kabul, AfghanistanCredit:
Omar Sobhani/Reuters

Seven enemy fighters were killed during the operation but the hostages were not found in the area, according to Fox News.

An earlier rescue mission was reportedly called off after the White House declined to give the special forces operatives, who were already en route, the go ahead due to concerns over the intelligence.

“They turned back that first night because they didn’t have authority. They could have gone without permission if they thought hostages' lives were in imminent danger,” one official told Fox News.

President Barack ObamaCredit:
AFP

The following day President Barack Obama did give his approval, and the Navy Seals battled insurgents at a compound where they believed the hostages were being held.

As it turned out, the hostages were not inside. According to the New York Times, they had been moved just hours before the raid.

Intelligence officials are unsure where they were transported to.

Afghan security forces rush to respond to a complex Taliban attack on the campus of the American UniversityCredit:
Rahmat Gul/AP

Peter Cook, the Pentagon press secretary, confirmed that the raid took place. He said Ash Carter, the secretary of defence, recommended that Mr Obama authorise it.

“We will not provide further information on this mission in order to protect the safety of hostages and operational security,” he said. “Military hostage rescue operations are inherently sensitive and dangerous and careful deliberation went into this mission."

The American University in Kabul was the site of a deadly attack on August 24, believed to have been carried out by the Taliban. At least 16 people were killed and dozens wounded by two gunmen and a suicide bomber.